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Scientists are taking Lake Erie’s pulse this week, and brainstorming how to tackle some of its biggest threats.

More than 80 researchers will descend on the University of Windsor for a think-tank, the Lake Erie Millenium Network, hoping the best and brightest can figure out how to make and keep the lake healthy.

The list of topics is long and challenging — from the dreaded Asian carp, to agricultural run-off that’s feeding giant algae blooms in the lake.

“One of our biggest challenges of this meeting is, we’re trying to find a way to make people who don’t live right on the lake realize that their activities have a big impact on Lake Erie,” said conference co-chair Jan Ciborowski, a Windsor biology professor.

High on everyone’s mind is the growth of massive algae blooms, especially in the lake’s western end, that are threatening water intakes and quality. One such blob in 2011, the worst year on record. grew to almost the size of Prince Edward Island.

Pollutants such as phosphorous, found in animal waste and farm fertilizer, were implicated.

One Ohio water intake for 2,000 people was shut down because algae levels greatly exceeded World Health Organization standards.

“We are really at a crisis point for Lake Erie, especially with micro-systems,” she said.

Southwestern Ontario may have a lot to do with the algae problem.

“We think that the nutrients for that are probably coming down the Thames and Sydenham rivers, so they represent all the increased agricultural activity we’re seeing in Southwestern Ontario — well away from the lakes,” said Ciborowski.

No-till farm practices have reduced the amount of sediment flowing into waterways, but that’s also allowed more run-off.

Climate change has led to more winter rains, putting more chemicals into the waters that feed the algae.

“A complicated mixture of better farming practices, but also climate change resulting in these winter run-off and heavier storms and warmer summers, make it more likely for algae to grow,” he said.

He cautioned science still doesn’t have “a smoking gun” to solve the environmental issue, but the conference may help researchers “see the big issue.”

The threat of Asian carp — an ecology-destroying foreign invader — will be on the agenda, but it’s not clear if it’s invaded the lake yet

“We’re dreading it showing up,” he said.

The conference, running Tuesday to Thursday, is a lead-up to an intensive study of the lake next year.